When Azim enrolled at our private Christian school as a sophomore, his intake paperwork hadn’t yet arrived. It wasn’t until after his family had already completed admissions that I discovered he was reading at a kindergarten level. Had I known that beforehand, he wouldn’t have been admitted. But what a blessed mistake that was. A […]
Author: Patty
Planning Ahead for Special Needs Care: Wisdom from a Friend
Every child has needs in a family with disabilities. Learn from Sonja’s story why early planning and intentional love matter for the whole family. Sonja was a dear friend for a season. I am deeply grateful for her wisdom, but also for the peace she carried. To spend time with her was to feel the […]
Down Syndrome ~ A Delightful Variety of Warmth
A delightful student was Abernathy Sweet! Abernathy was a child in a preschool in which I served as a volunteer. Abernathy was born with Down Syndrome, and was assumed to have a significant developmental delay, but was generally defying those expectations – particularly when it came to physical development. Abernathy was able to kick and […]
Let Them Fly: Rethinking Socialization in Homeschooling
Why homeschooling parents don’t need to fear “missing out” on school socialization—and how love, faith, and structure can support even the most vulnerable learners. If you put your children in public school, you might think they’re being socialized—but that’s not what’s happening. More often than not, they’re being systematically taught to fear. They sit beside […]
Bea’s Story: A Journey of Quiet Strength and Hard-Won Success
Bea (whose name means industrious and diligent) was just a baby when I met her. I’ve had the privilege of watching her grow up—side by side with her older sister, Amelia, who taught herself to read before anyone realized she was paying attention to words and letters, at the age of three. Amelia’s mind was […]
When Learning Doesn’t Fit the Mold: Graham’s Story with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
“When Learning Doesn’t Fit the Mold: Graham’s Story with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder” “Graham didn’t fit the usual mold for learning. His quirks and challenges with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder taught me that every child’s path to growth is unique—and worth celebrating.” Graham: Just Graham Graham was a quirky kid, and I liked him immediately. […]
When it is all of the family who need support
I was privileged to know the whole family of the Diggens. We eventually became close enough that my husband and I had dinner at their home on one or two occasions. They are really wonderful people! We have known them a long time now. They initially found me when homeschooling got rough because Jack reached […]
Teaching Cassia: Movement, Laughter, and Overcoming Dyslexia
From Tumbles to Triumph: Cassia’s Joyful Journey Through Dyslexia I tutored a sweetie in my home one summer, and for the sake of her privacy, I’ll call her Cassia—because she was just a little bit spicy and one of the most energetic learners I’ve ever had the joy to teach. A gymnast through and through, […]
“When a Smile is the Hardest Part: Helping Students Navigate Big Emotions and Social Cues”
The Story of Adom: A Journey Toward Connection and Growth Some students leave a lasting impression—not just because of where they started, but because of how far they go. I first met Adom when he was in first grade—a strikingly handsome little boy with a serious face. While he was mostly developing typically, it was […]